Recipe Background
When the season's this festive and fun, you don't want to start your meal off with a bland salad! Christmas Salad literally has holiday cheer in every bite, with crunchy, homemade candied pecans and fresh citrus flavors that taste like sunshine on a cold day. Even the dressing is dressed for the occasion, with plenty of brightness and tang to make this salad the best part of the meal! Christmas Salad is a colorful addition to your holiday spread that will catch the eye and, with just a bite, your heart.
When the season's this festive and fun, you don't want to start your meal off with a bland salad! Christmas Salad literally has holiday cheer in every bite, with crunchy, homemade candied pecans and fresh citrus flavors that taste like sunshine on a cold day. Even the dressing is dressed for the occasion, with plenty of brightness and tang to make this salad the best part of the meal! Christmas Salad is a colorful addition to your holiday spread that will catch the eye and, with just a bite, your heart.
Ingredients
For the pecans:
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 cup pecans whole or large pieces
- 1 tablespoon water plus more as needed
For the dressing:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- juice from 1 large orange
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
For the salad:
- 6 cups kale chopped in small pieces, with thick stems removed
- 2 oranges peeled and chopped
- 1/2 cup blue cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh pomegranate seeds
Directions
- In a small frying pan on the stove-top over medium heat combine the brown sugar, pecans, and water. Add water as needed to coat the pecans in sugar.
- Cook the pecans until the sugar mixture is thickened and the pecans are toasted, for about 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer the pecans to a parchment-paper-lined plate to cool.
- Combine the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, orange juice, black pepper, and orange zest, whisking them together into the dressing.
- Place the kale into a large salad bowl.
- Top with the candied pecans, oranges, blue cheese, and pomegranate seeds, tossing to combine.
- Top with the dressing and toss to combine.
- Serve!
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